Synthesis and properties of selenium trihydride at high pressures

The chemical reaction products of molecular hydrogen (H-2) with selenium (Se) are studied by synchrotron x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy at high pressures. We find that a common H2Se is synthesized at 0.3 GPa using laser heating. Upon compression at 300 K, a crystal of the theoretically predicted Cccm H3Se has been grown at 4.6 GPa. At room temperature, H3Se shows a reversible phase decomposition after laser irradiation above 8.6 GPa, but remains stable up to 21 GPa. However, at 170 K Cccm H3Se persists up to 39.5 GPa based on XRD measurements, while low-temperature Raman spectra weaken and broaden above 23.1 GPa. At these conditions, the sample is visually nontransparent and shiny suggesting that metallization occurred.